Mechanical vibration machining apparatus and mechanical vibration machining method

Abstract

A mechanical vibration machining apparatus or the like is suitable for forming a stable machined surface. A mechanical vibration machining apparatus performs machining of a machining target using a horn. A control unit instructs the horn to perform a mechanical vibration operation and a rotational driving operation. The control unit controls the mechanical vibration and/or the rotational driving in a periodic manner. For example, the control unit supports intermittent alternating control. That is to say, when one from among the mechanical vibration and the rotational driving is provided, the other is suspended. Such periodic control allows the stress that occurs due to the applied force to be dispersed, thereby allowing a stable machined surface to be formed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A mechanical vibration machining apparatus configured to machine a machining target, comprising:
 a horn arranged such that it is pressed in contact with the machining target; and 
 a control unit configured to control the horn to provide mechanical vibration and rotational driving operation so as to perform the machining, 
 wherein the control unit is configured to control the mechanical vibration of the horn to be provided in a periodic manner by alternately repeating a first vibration state in which a first mechanical vibration is provided and a second vibration state in which a second mechanical vibration is provided with a level that is smaller than the first mechanical vibration, 
 wherein the control unit is configured to control the rotational driving operation of the horn to be provided in a periodic manner by alternately repeating a first rotational driving state in which a first rotational driving is provided and a second rotational driving state in which a second rotational driving is provided with a level that is smaller than the first rotational driving, 
 wherein the control unit is configured to set the horn to the first vibration state during a part or all of the second rotational driving state, and 
 wherein the control unit is configured to set the horn to the first rotational driving state during a part or all of the second vibration state. 
 
     
     
       2. The mechanical vibration machining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the second vibration state, the control unit is configured to control the horn to provide no mechanical vibration,
 and wherein, in the second rotational driving state, the control unit is configured to control the horn to provide no rotational driving. 
 
     
     
       3. The mechanical vibration machining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the machining target includes metal workpieces, and wherein the horn bonds the metal workpieces. 
     
     
       4. The mechanical vibration machining apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the machining target includes resin workpieces, and wherein the horn welds the resin workpieces.